Job security has become as fragile as a house of cards nowadays. Despite putting your blood and sweat into work, there’s no guarantee that your position will survive the next round of layoffs, restructuring, or a sudden shift in company priorities, as in today’s fiercely competitive corporate field, loyalty feels like a one-way street. More recently, prominent American multinational technology company Oracle fired as many as 12,000 employees in India as part of reallocating resources and sharpening its focus on artificial intelligence.
Amid this relentless wave of job insecurity, another story highlighting the real definition of a leader has surfaced online that is striking a chord with professionals across industries. Software engineer Nandkishor Khandare dropped a post on his X-handle where he recalled how his friend was humiliated by toxic managers at his previous company, ultimately leading to his resignation. And even though he has now joined a better organisation, he still carries the humiliation with him.
Toxic workplace pushed him to the brink
According to the post, Nandkishor Khandare’s friend was officially ‘laid off for performance’ as per the email he received. But the reality was something else. As per the techie, his friend was consistently overworked and held accountable for factors beyond his control. Meetings became spaces where he was cornered and embarrassed rather than supported. Instead of constructive feedback, there was workplace politics. In place of mentorship, there was shouting. He only received silence when he needed support from co-workers.
Over time, the environment became so uncomfortable that resignation seemed like the employee’s only viable option. For weeks after leaving the company, he struggled with self-doubt, questioning his own skills and strengths, and wondering if he was truly at fault. After a few months, however, he secured a new position at a different organisation where he was offered not just better pay, but also a healthier work culture.
A fresh start, but scars remain
Nandkishor Khandare revealed that his friend now works with a more supportive team and a manager who actively mentors him. The change was visible in the way he smiled wider and more often than before. Yet, the saddest part was that despite quitting his previous workplace, the emotional impact of the unhealthy environment still haunted him, the way he was poorly treated still lingered with him, pointed out the techie.
To conclude, Nandkishor Khandare shared a thought-provoking reflection on leadership. He asserted that someone in a position of power cannot be considered a leader simply because they have the right to remove someone from payroll. A true boss is someone who pays attention to how they are behaving with an employee, how they are communicating with them, because without empathy, leadership loses its meaning.